Animal welfare

Dália Receives Animal Welfare Certification

Cooperative earns recognition for its Poultry Industrial Complex, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and safe food production

Reaffirming its commitment to sustainability and animal welfare in protein production, at the end of July, the Dália Alimentos Cooperative was awarded the Bem-Estar Único – Missão de Cuidar (Unique Welfare – Mission to Care) certification for its Poultry Industrial Complex, located in Arroio do Meio. The achievement was made possible through a partnership with MSD Animal Health.

The audit was conducted by QIMA/WQS, a global company specializing in testing, inspection, and certification solutions. A total of 100 criteria were evaluated, ensuring responsible practices focused on animal welfare, appreciation of people, and sustainability in the production process.

Ivane Giacobbo, Manager of the Quality Control Division, highlights that the certification strengthens Dália’s mission to produce food through systems aligned with animal welfare, biosecurity, and environmental preservation. “This is an important step that confirms our work and dedication to the quality policies we have adopted. We are now organizing the certification of other units, from farm production to the industrial level,” says Ivane.

Commitment to standards

According to veterinarian Caroline Vicari, Quality Control Supervisor at the Broiler Chicken Unit, the certification attests to the cooperative’s strict compliance with pre-slaughter handling regulations: “For the end consumer, this commitment to standards represents safety and credibility. Moreover, the seal demonstrates that the cooperative’s poultry complex complies with the Five Freedoms, which set the essential conditions for the protection and welfare of animals,” she explains.

Caroline also notes that animal welfare practices were already part of the cooperative’s routine: “These practices were already in place, and now the goal is to expand certification across the entire chicken production chain, including the handling stages that precede the industrial process,” Caroline adds.

Market recognition and added value

Eduardo Koefender, Manager of the Broiler Chicken Division, reinforces that animal welfare adds value to the cooperative’s products. “Consumer perceptions of our products are evolving, driven by greater access to information. That’s why it’s essential to show our care and communicate to the market the actions that reinforce our responsibility.”

Three interdependent pillars

For Dr. Filipe Dalla Costa, veterinarian and Monogastric Animal Welfare Coordinator at MSD Animal Health, the Bem-Estar Único certification represents a significant milestone, consolidating the training carried out at Dália’s facilities. “This structured work is based on three interdependent pillars: people, animals, and the environment. Regarding animals, we apply the Five Domains of welfare to promote continuous improvement in their interaction with their surroundings. People also play a crucial role, as trained and conscious collaborators translate knowledge into sustainable practices in daily farming, transportation, and slaughter operations,” he emphasizes.

Filipe adds that this preparation directly impacts workplace safety, food quality, and the efficient use of natural resources. “Communicating all this work through the Bem-Estar Único – Missão de Cuidar seal symbolizes not only the team’s achievements but also a way to build lasting connections between the rural producer, the brand, and the consumer.”

Animal welfare as human development

Finally, Filipe shares his view on the broader impacts of the process. “I realized that working with animal welfare also means working with human development. The exchange of experiences during the training sessions — especially the moments of active listening with each team — was extremely enriching. Listening to employees, understanding their challenges, and building solutions together brought us valuable lessons with direct impacts in the field. This openness to dialogue is the first step toward real and lasting transformation,” concludes the MSD Animal Health professional.

Captions: Managers and Supervisors welcomed QIMA/WQS auditors
Photo: Courtesy
Press Office – Dália Alimentos Cooperative
Journalist: Kástenes Roberto Casali